WAW!

A typo? Nope. WAW - What A Week! It was a marathon. A babysitting marathon that is. Mindy had her orientation for her new employment all week which meant I had Madi and Maya all week. And then on Tuesday and Thursday, Ben and Maggie were thrown into the mix. I was a little nervous about having six kids under the age of four in my sole care. Six to one is a scary ratio but I did it, I survived, and I had fun!

I knew if I were to maintain my sanity, there needed to be organization and structure. So, our days were set up into times...story time, singing time, quiet time, getting-to-know-you time (we sat in a circle and talked about favorite things: colors, foods, animals, etc.), snack time, play time....you get the idea. Being so structured was not only great for myself, but the kids as well. They had fun with all the different activities and it kept them from fighting over toys.

Here are some pics of my marathon:

Movie time! This kept them quiet while I fixed lunch.

I just couldn't help myself. On Wednesday I dressed Madi and Ashlyn in matching outfits, hairbows and all. I had too much fun. They also thought it was pretty neat to be dressed alike, even though they don't look so thrilled in the picture.

Craft time! One of the favorite activities for the kids was on Thursday when we made marshmallow snowmen. This is the best way to make a snowman, you stay warm and it's edible! We also made fruit loop necklaces. Crafts you can eat, what could be more fun?!

Dance time! I don't think there are many things in life more entertaining then watching kids shake their groove thang! It was hilarious.

Milk and cookie time! Ben, Madi, and Ashlyn helped me make no-bakes and then we sat down for some good old milk and cookies.

Maya and Trent were so good all week. Maya's smile can turn any bad mood around! After holding them both so much, it was perfectly clear that Trent outweighs Maya. And you should see the difference in their thighs! Trent has rolls and rolls, and Maya is so petite.

Ashlyn looks exactly how I felt by the end of the week, exhausted! However, I really do feel lucky to live so close to my nieces and nephews. And I feel blessed to be able to see them and watch them so often. They are all great kids with such different and funny personalities. When they are all grown up one day, I will look back with fondness at these memorable times I was able to spend with them.

My busy week collided into a busy weekend. Friday night we had a movie night at my parents home. We ate bagel dogs and watched an old Disney movie, The Rescuers.

Saturday morning was spent watching coverage of President Hinckley's life and funeral. What a wonderful man and what an emotional roller coaster. I have not had such a good cry in a long time.

Saturday night we had two of my best friends, Sandy and Emily, over for a pizza party. I have known these two since middle school and I am so glad that we are still such good friends. Emily was accompanied by her husband, Dave, and her three adorable kids, Audrey, Jackie and Zander. Sandy brought along her man, Ben, who brought photos to share with us of his recent adventures to Ecuador and Peru. He went to Machu Pichu, which for some time has been on my list of dream vacations. And the photos were beautiful! It made me want to go there even more.

Sunday we went to the Smiley's for dinner to welcome Stacey home from her vacation to Hawaii, yet another dream vacation. It just isn't fair that people all around me are going on these wonderful vacation and all I can do is try to live vicariously through them by looking at their stinkin' photos. I am in definite need of a vacation soon. Stacey was nice enough to bring us all flip flops from Hawaii. Now all we need is for this snow to melt and the sun to come out so we can wear them.

So that ends my crazy but fun week. There is really nothing I would rather be busy with than activities with family and friends. However, a couple of slow days now and then are nice too ;)